Personal cleaning device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a cleaning device for cleaning a person. The device includes a head driven by a motor. A housing retains the motor and the head such that the head is moved with respect to the housing by operation of the motor. The device also includes a cleaning implement for cleaning the person, the cleaning implement secured to a resilient member and the resilient member removably secured to the head. In another configuration, a cleaning device for cleaning a person includes a cleaning implement for cleaning between toes of the person. A motor is operatively coupled to the cleaning implement to move the cleaning implement in a washing motion. A housing retains the motor and the cleaning implement, the washing motion moving the cleaning element with respect to the housing.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/648,460 filed Jan. 31, 2005 and titled “PersonalCleaning Device,” the disclosure of which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of personal hygieneand, more particularly, to a personal cleaning device for use in a wetenvironment, such as a shower or bath.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of body brushes and back scrubbers are commerciallyavailable. These items generally consist of an extended handle attachedto a cleaning head. The cleaning head is typically a mesh cloth, asponge or a soft brush and is arranged to scrub areas of one's body bymanual manipulation of the entire device. However, persons with limitedflexibility, strength and/or movement, such as by virtue of adebilitating physical condition, may find conventional cleaning productsdifficult to use. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for animproved bath and shower brush assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a cleaning device for cleaninga person includes a head driven by a motor; a housing that retains themotor and the head, wherein the head is moved with respect to thehousing by operation of the motor; and a cleaning implement for cleaningthe person, the cleaning implement secured to a resilient member and theresilient member removably secured to the head.

According to another aspect of the invention, a cleaning device forcleaning a person includes a cleaning implement for cleaning betweentoes of the person; a motor operatively coupled to the cleaningimplement to move the cleaning implement in a washing motion; and ahousing for retaining the motor and the cleaning implement, the washingmotion moving the cleaning element with respect to the housing.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a cleaning device forcleaning a person includes a head having an attached cleaning implement,the head and implement driven by a motor connected to the head by adrive assembly; a first housing portion enclosing the motor; a secondhousing portion retaining the head; and a pivotal linkage connecting thefirst and second housing portions.

According to still another aspect of the invention, a cleaning devicefor cleaning a person includes a head having an attached cleaningimplement, the head and implement driven by a motor connected to thehead by a drive assembly; a housing that retains the motor and the head,wherein the head is moved with respect to the housing by operation ofthe motor; and a pressurized reservoir for storing a dispensablematerial and a valve for selectively controlling the dispensing of thematerial onto the cleaning element.

According to one more aspect of the invention, a cleaning device forcleaning a person includes a head having an attached cleaning implement,the head and cleaning implement driven by a motor connected to the headby a drive assembly; and a housing that retains the motor and the head,wherein the head is connected to the drive assembly to rotate byoperation of the motor and pivot with respect to the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and further features of the present invention will be apparentwith reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to a firstexample embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to a secondexample embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an example body portion for the cleaningdevices of FIGS. 1 and 2 and dispenser for the cleaning device of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an alternative example dispenser for thecleaning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of yet another alternative example dispenserfor the cleaning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of still another alternative exampledispenser for the cleaning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an example brush assembly portion for thecleaning devices of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 8A through 8D are perspective views of various cleaning covers forthe cleaning devices of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of another example brush assembly portion forthe cleaning devices of FIGS. 1 and 2:

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of yet another example brush assemblyportion for the cleaning devices of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of still another example brush assemblyportion for the cleaning devices of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a cleaning device according to athird example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the cleaning device of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14A through 14E respectively are top, front, right side, rear andbottom views of the cleaning device in FIG. 12, the left side view beingsubstantially a mirror image of the right side view;

FIG. 15A is an exploded view of the cleaning device of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15B is an enlarged exploded view of a pivotal joint betweenportions of the cleaning device of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a cross section of a handle assembly of the cleaning deviceof FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a cross section of a brush assembly portion of the cleaningdevice of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 18A and 18B respectively are top and side views of an example meshcleaning assembly for the cleaning device of FIG. 12;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the cleaning cover of FIGS. 18A and18B;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are perspective views of various example cleaningcovers for the cleaning device of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 21A and 21B respectively are a perspective view and a side view ofan example foot and toe cleaning brush assembly for the cleaning deviceof FIG. 12;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another example foot and toe cleaningbrush assembly for the cleaning device of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 23 is an exploded view of an alternative example head for thecleaning device of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION

In the description that follows, like components have been given thesame reference numerals, regardless of whether they are shown indifferent embodiments of the present invention. To illustrate thepresent invention in a clear and concise manner, the drawings may notnecessarily be to scale and certain features may be shown in somewhatschematic form. Features that are described and/or illustrated withrespect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similarway in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with orinstead of the features of the other embodiments.

Aspects of the invention are directed to a hand-held personal cleaningdevice for scrubbing areas of a one's own body or areas of another'sbody. The device includes a handle that is ergonomically bent to assistin reaching and cleaning one's back. Attached to the handle is acleaning head in the form of, for example, a sponge, cloth, bristlebrush, exfoliating pad, etc. The cleaning head can be moved relative tothe handle by a motorized drive mechanism contained in the handle. Forexample, the cleaning head can be made to rotate or reciprocate withrespect to a longitudinal axis of the brush assembly. The drivemechanism can be powered by batteries, which are also contained in thehandle. The cleaning head can be detached and replaced with othercleaning heads. In one embodiment, the cleaning head can be or include asmall brush to clean between one's toes (e.g., an elongated, smalldiameter sponge or brush). In one embodiment, the handle or a bodymember connecting the handle to the cleaning head can be elongated so asto have an extended reaching capability. For instance, the extendedreaching capability can be useful to reach one's feet without bending,reach one's back without straining, or so that one person may cleananother person from outside a shower or bathtub while minimizing thepossibility of getting wet, thereby making the device advantageous foruse in a hospital or nursing home, or to wash children or others athome.

Disclosed herein is a powered bath and shower brush assembly having, inone embodiment, a multi-part body portion and an extended brush assemblyportion having a moving head. A DC motor within the housing portion islinked to drive the moving head. Removable and replaceable cleaningcovers can be attached to the moving head. An area of the body portionis made to accept a reservoir for a material to be dispensed, such as,but not limited to, liquid soap. A pump assembly within the body portionprovides means by which the material to be dispensed is pushed through aconduit leading to the brush assembly portion and distributed throughthe moving head onto an attached one of the cleaning covers.

In one embodiment, a cleaning device has a body portion and an extendedbrush assembly portion. Attached to the extended brush assembly portioncan be removable and replaceable cleaning covers. The device can includea dispensing system with a reservoir and pump that allows for controlledamounts of material to be dispensed through a conduit onto an attachedcleaning cover while bathing or taking a shower.

In one embodiment, a powered bath brush comprises of a body portiondetachably connected to a lower end of an extended brush assemblyportion. The body portion includes a hollow enclosure and can retain adispensing system for a fluid, flowable or gel material to be dispensed,such as liquid soap. The body portion, being a first member, matablyconnects with the extended brush assembly, being a second member. Adispenser, being a third member, is accommodated by or connectable tothe first member and/or the second member to form a personal cleaningassembly.

The body portion can be arranged to contain batteries and a motordisposed along a longitudinal axis of the body portion. A watertight orfluid resistant switch affixed to the portion can include a buttondetail(s) for power on and off. The body portion can also include a spurgear cluster operatively attached to the motor to provide a reduction ofthe motor speed and/or to achieve desired torque and operating speed. Anoutput shaft from the gear cluster can operatively attach to theextended brush assembly. A set of shafts within the extended brushassembly transfers movement to a moving head, to which various cleaningcovers can be removably attached.

Referring now to FIG. 1 shows a powered bath brush, or cleaning deviceD, used to wash the body while in the shower or bath, or other wetenvironment. The illustrated cleaning device includes a body portion 1,which can be constructed from multiple parts including, for example,first and second halves. The halves can be glued, welded (e.g.,thermally fused) or otherwise connected during manufacture to form awatertight or water resistant enclosure. Detachably connected to a topend of the body portion 1 can be a lower end of an extended brushassembly portion 2. The body portion 1 and the brush assembly portion 2combine to form a housing for the device D.

A top end of the extended brush assembly 2 can include a head 3, whichis moveable with respect to the extended brush assembly 2 and/or thebody portion 1. In one embodiment, the head can be detachable from theextended brush assembly 2, but need not be detachable. The cleaningdevice D can include a dispensing system 4, which can be at least inpart removably attached to the bottom side of the body portion 1, forexample. The body portion 1 can be sized and shaped to be grasped by ahand or a user, thereby serving as a handle for the device D.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative powered bath brush, or cleaning device D′.The cleaning device D′ is substantially the same as the cleaning deviceD illustrated in FIG. 1, but without a dispensing system. Ornamentalfeatures of both devices D and D′ will be apparent from the attacheddrawing.

With additional reference to FIG. 3 shown is an exploded view of thebody portion 1 for either cleaning device D or D′. The body portion 1can include a pair of body members 1 a and 1 b used to form a hollowenclosure. The body members 1 a and 1 b can be injection molded from asuitable plastic, for example. The body portion 1 can contain a DC motor5 positioned generally along a longitudinal axis 6 of the body portion1. The body portion 1 also can contain batteries 7 (e.g., one or more AAtype batteries) to provide operating electrical power to the motor 5. Itwill be appreciated that other sources of electrical power can be used,such as re-chargeable power batteries or cells, a transformer unithaving a DC electrical connector to connect to the device D and a plugto connect to a conventional receptacle, or direct connection to an ACpower source (e.g., conventional receptacle).

A battery compartment door 8 can be placed over a battery receivingportion of the enclosure of the body portion 1. The door 8 can beremoved to replace the batteries 7. In one embodiment, the door 8 ismolded from an elastomeric material, such as urethane, to create awatertight or liquid resistant seal with the body portion 1. Theillustrated door 8 can be attached by pressing the door 8 into anopening of the body portion 1 until the door 8 catches on detents of thebody portion 1. A conductive metal contact plate 9 can be receivedwithin an integrally molded pocket 10 of the door 8 to establish anelectrical connection from one battery 7 to an adjacent battery 7. Inother embodiments, the door 8 can be made of plastic and can include awasher or o-ring to minimize water penetration into the body portion 1.Hinged attachment of the door 8 to the body portion 1 is contemplated.

Compression spring contacts 11 or other conductive contacts (e.g., bumpcontacts) can be affixed to a contact carrier 12. The carrier 12 can beretained by the body portion 1 to align the contacts 11 with terminalsof the batteries 7. For example, the carrier 12 can be secured byreceiving rib details 13. The contacts 11 can be electrically coupled toa circuit board 14 (e.g., printed circuit board) via wire leads 15. Apush button on/off switch 16 can be connected to or disposed on thecircuit board 14 and controls application of electrical power derivedfrom the batteries 7 to the motor 5 via wire motor leads 17. A switchcover 18 can be disposed over the switch 16. The cover 18 can create awatertight or fluid resistant seal with the body portion 1. In oneembodiment, the cover 18 can be molded from an elastomeric material,such as urethane, to provide such sealing properties and to bedeformable so as to allow operation of the underlying switch 16 whenpressed. A groove detail 19 of the switch cover 18 can be formed toassist in creating the seal with a corresponding opening edge 20 of thebody portion 1.

A spur gear 21 can be connected to a shaft of the motor 5. An integrallyformed pocket 22 of the body portion 1 can accommodate the motor 5. Thespur gear 21 passes through an opening 23 in a rear gear clustermounting plate 24. A pin 25 is connected to a spur gear 26. The spurgear 26 has an axis that is generally parallel to and located adjacentthe spur gear 21 such that the gears 21, 26 mesh. An opening 27 (shownin phantom) in the rear gear cluster mounting plate 24 receives the pin25 and is sized to allow the pin 25 to spin freely. A forward gearcluster mounting plate 28 includes an opening 29 to receive the otherend of the pin 25 and allow the pin 25 to spin freely.

The spur gear 26 can include an integrally formed or attached smallerspur gear detail 30 located on a forward face that provides a rotationalspeed reduction of the motor 5 when meshed in line with subsequentgearing. A pin 31 is connected to a further spur gear 32. The spur gear32 has an axis that is generally parallel to and located adjacent thespur gear detail 30 such that these gears mesh. An opening 33 in therear gear cluster mounting plate 24 receives the pin 31 and is sized toallow the pin 31 to spin freely. The forward gear cluster mounting plate28 has another opening 34 to receive the other end of the pin 31. Theopening is sized to allow the pin 31 to spin freely.

The spur gear 32 includes an integrally formed or attached smaller spurgear detail 35 located on a forward face to provide a further reductionin rotational speed with subsequent gearing. A pin 36 is connected to aspur gear 37. The spur gear 37 has an axis that is generally parallel toand located adjacent the spur gear detail 35 such that these gears mesh.An opening 38 in the rear gear cluster mounting plate 24 receives thepin 36 and is sized to allow the pin 36 to spin freely. The forward gearcluster mounting plate 28 includes another opening 39 to receive theother end of the pin 36. The opening is also sized to allow the pin 36to spin freely.

The spur gear 37 includes an integrally formed or attached smaller spurgear detail 40 located on a forward face providing a further reductionin rotational speed with subsequent gearing. A pin 41 is connected to aspur gear 42. The spur gear 42 has an axis that is generally parallel toand located adjacent the spur gear detail 40 such that these gears mesh.An opening 43 (shown in phantom) in the rear gear cluster mounting plate24 receives the pin 41 and is sized to allow the pin 41 to spin freely.The forward gear cluster mounting plate 28 includes an opening 44 toreceive the other end of the pin 41. The opening is sized to allow thepin 41 to spin freely.

Rib details 45 in the portion 1 can be used to receive and retain edgesof the rear gear cluster mounting plate 24 and the forward gear clustermounting plate 28.

An extended forward portion 46 of the pin 41 passes through and extendsbeyond a front face of the forward gear cluster mounting plate 28.Therefore, pin 41 can be considered an output drive shaft of theabove-described gear assembly G. A drive socket 47 is connectable to theforward portion 46 of pin 41. For example, the socket 47 can have alongitudinal axis and a hub 48 protruding from the rear face. A bore 49(shown in phantom) runs through the hub 48 and is sized to be press fitonto the extended portion 46 of the pin 41. Therefore, the drive socket47 is secured to the output drive shaft of the gear assembly G. Thedrive socket 47 can include a pocket 50 in a forward end thatoperatively attaches to a corresponding member of the brush assemblyportion 2 (FIG. 1). The pocket 50 can have, for example, a square orhex-shaped cross-section.

The dispenser 4, in one embodiment, can be arranged in similar fashionto a conventional bottle pump assembly 51. The pump assembly 51 can havea longitudinal portion that fits into an integrally molded pocket P ofthe body portion 1. A collar 52 disposed at a rear face of the pumpassembly 51 can have internal threads 53 (shown in phantom) thatcorrespond to and receive external threads 54 located around a peripheryof a top neck 55 of a bottle 56. The threaded connection of the bottle56 to the pump assembly 51 allows for removal of the bottle 56 forrepeated filling with a material to be dispensed. As used herein, amaterial to be dispensed can include, without limitation, liquid soap, awater and soap solution, bath oil, bath gel, shampoo, conditioner,mineral oil, skin cream or lotion, medicated preparations or the like,or combinations of materials.

The bottle 56, which has a generally elongated configuration, can bedisposed adjacent the body portion 1, such as being positioned under thebody portion 1 as best illustrated in FIG. 1. A lever 57 operativelyattaches to the pump assembly 51 to provide manual means by which thepump 51 is activated and material is siphoned from the bottle 56 througha tube T and out of a forward opening 58 of the pump assembly 51. Theforward opening 58 operatively (e.g., fluidically) attaches to acorresponding member of the extended brush assembly portion 2.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment for the dispenser. In theembodiment of FIG. 4, a drive socket 59 is provided. The drive socket 59can be configured to have generally the same features as drive socket 47(FIG. 3) and further include an eccentric lobe detail 60. In theembodiment of FIG. 4, the drive socket 59 replaces the drive socket 47.

A pump assembly fits within a corresponding pocket 61 of the bodyportion 1. The pump assembly has a longitudinal axis and consists of aforward exit piece 62 that operatively attaches to a correspondingmember of the extended brush assembly portion 2. The backside of theforward exit piece 62 includes a bore 63 (shown in phantom) thatreceives a compression spring 64, followed by a ball stop 65. Aretaining cap 66 is aligned with the bore and is affixed to a lip 67protruding from the backside of the forward exit piece 62. An inner bore68 (shown in phantom) passing through the retaining cap 66 has a forwardedge with a spherical profile that matches that of the ball stop 65. Thebackside of the retaining cap 66 has an outside diameter that is pressedinto to a front end of a length of resilient tubing 69. For example, thetubing 69 can be made from vinyl or a similar material that is capableof being deformed by external pressure asserted against a side wall ofthe tubing 69 and is able to substantially return to its original shape.The front end of a second retainer cap 70 maintains an outside diameterthat presses into the back end of the length of tubing 69. A compressionspring 71 having an outside diameter slightly larger than a bore 72running through the retaining cap 70 is received by a larger diameterpocket (not shown). A ball stop 73 is located in back of the compressionspring 71. A bottle attaching collar 74 shares the longitudinal axis ofthe forgoing components and includes a hub 75 protruding from a frontface that presses into the larger diameter pocket within the back faceof the retaining cap 70. A bore 76 running through the bottle attachingcollar 74 has a spherical front edge that corresponds to the ball stop73. A bottle 56 is detachably connected to the backside of thebottle-attaching collar 74. If desired a tube can extend into the bottle56 from the collar 74.

The lobe detail 60 of the drive socket 59 can be disposed with respectto the tubing 69 so that, upon rotation of the motor 5, the eccentriclobe detail 60 turns in and out of contact with the exterior sidewall ofthe tubing 69. While the lobe 60 is in contact with the tube 69, thesidewall of the tubing 69 can be inwardly deformed. Upon inwarddeformation of the tubing 69, the inner volume of the tubing is at leastpartially purged of its contents by way of the forward ball stop 65.During this action, the rear ball stop 73 minimizes backward flow towardthe bottle 56. As the tubing 69 returns to shape, the inner volume isfilled by a resultant vacuum action and by way of the rear ball stop 73.During this action, the forward ball stop 65 minimizes forward flowtoward the forward exit piece 62. As will be appreciated, in thisembodiment, pumping of material from the bottle 56 is powered. Ifdesired, pumping from the bottle 56 can be made independent of motion ofthe head 3. For example, the pumping can be driven by a second motor,selectively engaged using a clutch, gearing or other linkage, and soforth.

Referring to FIG. 5 another example dispensing mechanism is shown. Alever 77 is operatively attached to an open/close valve assembly 78having a longitudinal axis. The open/close valve assembly fits within apocket 79 of the body portion 1. A front face of the open/close valveassembly 78 operatively attaches to a corresponding member of theextended brush assembly portion 2 (FIG. 1). A bore 80 (shown in phantom)in the open/close valve assembly 78 receives a central pin 81, which issuspended by ribs extending from the inside diameter of the bore 80.

A compression spring 82 is contained and attached to a backside of alower corresponding pocket 83 of the body portion 1. In an uncompressedstate, the front end of the spring 82 can be located forward of a backedge of a bottom opening 84 of the body portion 1. A push tip 85 pressesinto and attaches to the front end of the spring 82. A cartridge 86having a longitudinal axis is hollow and receives a plunger 87 from anopen back end. Prior to insertion of the plunger 87, the cartridge 86 isfilled with material to be dispensed (e.g., liquid soap) and the plunger87 is inserted just below the open back end so as to keep the materialfrom spilling out of the cartridge 86. A front valve cap 88 has an innerbore 89 having a back spherical edge that matches the diameter of a ballstop 90. The ball stop 90 is placed into the backside of the valve cap88 and into the inner bore 89. A compression spring 91 is placed overthe ball stop 90. A spring stop 92 fits within the inside diameter ofthe cartridge 86, and rests on an integral inner lip detail 93 locatednear the forward end of the cartridge 86. The front valve cap 88 has alarger diameter bore in a back face that is pressed onto a forwardoutside diameter step 94 of the cartridge 86.

A full cartridge 86 can be inserted through the bottom opening 84, backend first. As the front face of the push tip 85 comes into contact withthe back face of the plunger 87 and, when the cartridge is fullyinserted, the compression spring 82 contained within the pocket 83becomes compressed. Resultant pressure created behind the volume definedby the cartridge 86 is adequate to purge and empty the cartridge 86through the front valve cap 88 when the ball stop 90 is opened by thecentral pin 81. As will be appreciated, the central pin 81 isoperatively attached to the open/close valve assembly 78 and controlledby the lever 77.

FIG. 6 shows yet another example dispensing mechanism. The embodiment ofFIG. 6 creates back pressure to empty a cartridge in similar manner tothat described for the embodiment of FIG. 5. The operation of theopen/close valve assembly 78, pin 81 and lever 77 are substantially thesame as that described with respect to FIG. 5 and will not be repeated.

A hollow cartridge 95 is provided. A back cap 96 has a front-side bore97 that accommodates an umbrella valve 98. A retaining stem 99 of theumbrella valve 98 fits through an appropriate center bore 100 in theback cap 96. Openings 101 located adjacent the center bore 100 exitthrough the back face of the back cap 96 and allow air to pass throughthe umbrella valve 98 in a forward direction. A pump button 102 alignswith the components and has an inner bore 103. The bore 103 steps downto a smaller diameter bore 104 (shown in phantom) that opens at a backface of the pump button 102. The forward inside edge of the bore 104 hasa spherical profile having a mating diameter to a ball stop 105. Acompression spring 106 fits over the ball stop 105. The pump button 102,with the inner components, attaches over the rear outside diameter ofthe back cap 96 with a generally airtight seal.

A front valve cap 107 has an inner bore 108 with a rearward sphericaledge that matches a diameter of a ball stop 109. The ball stop 109 isplaced from the backside of the front valve cap 107 into the inner bore108. A compression spring 110 is placed over the ball stop 109, and aspring retainer washer 111 is pressed over the spring 110 and affixedwithin the back face bore of the front valve cap 107. An internallythreaded collar 112 is positioned at the rear end of the front valve cap107, and mates with an externally threaded portion at the front end ofthe cartridge 95. Prior to attaching the front valve cap onto thecartridge 95, a plunger 113 is placed into the front open end of thecartridge 95 and pushed to the bottom. The open front end of thecartridge 95 is then filled with material to be dispensed and the frontvalve cap is attached.

Upon pressing down on the pump button 102, air is passed through theone-way umbrella valve 98, during which passage at the other end isblocked by the ball stop 105. As the pump button 102 returns toposition, air previously introduced is maintained within the cartridge95 behind the plunger 113 by the umbrella valve 98, and the pump buttonfills with a further volume of air for later introduction past theumbrella valve 98. Thus, pressure adequate to force the plunger 113upward and purge material out the front valve cap 107 is acquired afterseveral strokes of the pump button. The user maintains pressure byrepeatedly pressing the pump button 102 on an as desired basis as thecartridge empties by action of the pin 81 with respect to the ball stop109 as controlled by the lever 77.

Although not illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the body portion 1 can includethe various components to result in selective movement of moveable head3 (described in greater detail below), such as the batteries, motor,gears, linkages, switch and the like. These components can be includedin the presence of a dispensing assembly (such as present for the deviceD of FIG. 1) or in the absence of a dispensing assembly (such as for thedevice D′ of FIG. 2). The following description of the brush headassembly portion 2, head 3 and various brushes is applicable to bothdevice D and device D′.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 7, a brush head assembly portion 2 isdetachably connected to the body portion 1. The brush head assemblyportion 2 includes a housing 114 having back edge clip details 115protruding rearward from opposing side edges of the housing 114.Receiving catches 116 for the clip 115 can be integrally molded into thebody portion 1 so as to hold the brush assembly portion 2 firmly inposition. In an alternative arrangement, the housing can be integrallyformed with the body portion 1, or attached using other means, such asadhesive or welding (e.g., thermal fusing).

A stepped shoulder 117 matching a back inside profile of the brushassembly portion 2 can be formed on the body portion 1 at the forwardedge to further hold the brush assembly portion 2 in place. The steppedshoulder 117 can include a groove 118 around the outside peripherythereof. A washer or o-ring 119 can be placed into the groove 118 suchthat a watertight or fluid resistant seal is formed when the brushassembly portion 2 is attached to the body portion 1.

The housing 114 can have an open bottom and a bottom cover 120 can bemated with an open bottom edge 121 of the housing 114. Both the housing114 and the bottom cover 120 can be injection molded from a suitableplastic. The mating seam between these components can be glued or welded(e.g., thermally fused) during manufacture to provide a watertight orfluid resistant seal.

An inner top face 122 of the bottom cover 120 has integralshaft-mounting ribs 123 protruding upward, which include pockets 124sized to receive a first shaft 125 and a second shaft 126. The shaftscan be made from, for example, steel. Shaft retaining tabs 127 (shown inphantom) can protrude downward from an inside surface of a top portionof the housing 114. When assembled, the tabs 127 can cooperate with ribs123 to retain the first shaft 125 and the second shaft 126 in thepockets 124. In this manner, the shafts are supported on circumferentialedges, allowing them to spin freely. The housing 114 and bottom cover120 can be formed to have a bent, e.g., “elbowed,” to assist in allowinga user to reach certain areas on the user's body, such as one's back. Asa result, the brush assembly portion 2 can have a change in axis at, forexample, point 128.

The first shaft 125 is aligned with the socket 47 or socket 59. A drivestud 129 has a hub 130. A bore 131 in the forward face of the hub 130 issized to press over one end of the first shaft 125. A rearward drivesegment 132 maintains a geometry to mate with the inner bore 50 of thesocket. Upon attaching the brush head assembly portion 2 to the bodyportion 1 and engaging the clip details 115, a fit results between thedrive stud 129 and drive socket that transfers rotation of drive socketto shaft 125.

The other end of the first shaft 125 is connected to a back end of auniversal joint 133. The front end of the universal joint 133 isconnected to one end of the second shaft 126. The universal jointaccommodates for the bending of the brush assembly portion 2. The otherend of the second shaft 126 is connected to a hub 134 of a first mitergear 135.

A third shaft 136 is arranged to be generally perpendicular to thesecond shaft 126. An o-ring retaining pocket 137 is formed in a top faceof the bottom cover 120. An o-ring 138 fits into an inside diameter ofthe retaining pocket 137. An o-ring retaining cap 139 aligns with theretaining pocket 137 and has a bore in the bottom face (not shown) thatpresses over to the outside diameter of the retaining pocket 137. Asmaller bore 140 exits through the top face of the retaining cap 139 andis sized to allow the outside diameter of the third shaft 136 to spinfreely within.

A lower extended end 141 on the third shaft 136 passes through thetrapped o-ring 138 and protrudes beyond a bottom face of the bottomcover 120. An upper extended end 142 on the third shaft 136 fits into aconcentric boss 143 (shown in phantom) formed on the top inside face ofthe housing 114. The receiving bore diameter of the boss 143 is sized toallow the third shaft 136 to spin freely. A second miter gear 144 alignswith (e.g., presses onto) the third shaft 136 and is positioned to meshwith the first miter gear 135.

A drive cam 145 is positioned in line with the extended end 141 of thethird shaft 136. A bore 146 through the drive cam 145 presses over andis secured to the extended end 141. An offset post 147 protrudes fromthe lower face of the drive cam 145 and is received by aself-lubricating bearing 148. The post 147 is sized to spin freelywithin the bearing 148, which can include a top flange 149.

As will become more apparent below, a moving head 150 has a dimension toprovide a suitable area of coverage while washing. The head 150 has alaterally disposed center slot 151 through the top face. The center axis152 of the center slot 151 aligns with the axis of the third shaft 136,and can be generally perpendicular to the third shaft 136. The axis 152of the slot 151 also can be generally perpendicular to the axis of thesecond shaft 126. Clip details 153 are formed to protrude beyond abottom face of the housing 114. The clip details 153 can provide meansof operatively attaching the moving head 150 by passage throughaccommodating slots 154 on the head 150 that are disposed in generallyperpendicular arrangement to the axis 152. When clip details 153 arepushed through the slots 154, a snap fit can retain the head 150 to thehousing 114. The slots 154 are sized to allow the head 150 to slidefreely with respect to the clip details 153. The flange 149 of thebearing 148 can rest on the top face of the head 150. The lower outsidediameter 155 of the bearing 148 fits within the center slot 151 suchthat it is able to slide freely from side to side while pushing the head150 forward and back.

As will be appreciated, the linkage of the head 150 to the motor 5allows the rotational movement of the motor 5 to be translated to areciprocating movement of the head 150. In the illustrated example, thehead 150 moves with respect to the remainder of the device D or D′ andalong a longitudinal axis of the device D or D′. It is contemplated thatthe head can be made to move in other directions and/or pivot withrespect to the rest of the device D or D′. For example, the head 150 canbe made to rotate about a fixed axis, rotate and move in reciprocatingfashion, move in a random orbit, vibrate, oscillate, swing, pivot, andso forth.

A member 156, which can have resilient properties, can be removablyattached to the head 150. The ring 156 can be made from a somewhatelastomeric material, for example, a urethane or other suitablematerial. In one embodiment, the member 156 is annular, but need not beround. Accordingly, the member 156 will also be referred to herein as anattaching ring. A groove 157 can be formed into an inside wall of theattaching ring 156 and the edge of the head 150 can be placed within thegroove 157 to selectively secure the ring 156 to the head 150. Slightstretching of the ring 156 will allow the groove to slip into or out ofengagement with the edge of the head 150. The ring 156 and correspondinghead 150 can be oval as shown, or other suitable shape, such ascircular, square, rectangular and so forth.

In one embodiment, a washing cloth 158 is securely attached to the ring156. The cloth 158 can be formed from, for example, a mesh material,“terry cloth”, or other woven or non-woven fabric. The cloth 158 can besuitably arranged to provide adequate comfort and coverage while washingwith the device D or D′.

In embodiments having a dispenser, the bottom cover 120 can include atube mounting rib(s) 159 (shown in phantom) protruding downward from abottom face of the cover 120. The mounting rib 159 can include a pocket160 to receive and retain a length of tubing 161. The tubing 161 servesas a conduit through which material can be delivered to an area insidethe ring 156 (e.g., for application to the illustrated upper side of thecloth 158). The tubing 161 can be made from vinyl or similar semi-rigidmaterial. A tube fitting 162 having a forward end 163 can be insertedinto and secured by one end of the tubing 161. A mounting arm 164integral to the fitting 162 can be received by and secured to acorresponding notch 165 of the bottom cover 120. A rearward end 166 ofthe fitting 162 fits into the forward opening 58 of the pump assembly 51(or the forward exit piece 62 or the open/close valve assembly 78).

The rearward end 166 has an outer groove 167 that accommodates an o-ring168. The o-ring 168 can create a fluid-tight seal between the fitting162 and any of the previously described dispensing assemblies. A bore169 passes through the fitting 162 as an open conduit for a dispensedmaterial. The other end of the tubing 161 is fitted to pass through aslot 170 in the head 150 and has a terminating end directed through thering 156 (e.g., toward an interior surface of the washing cloth 158). Inthis manner material can be dispensed during use of the device D.

When electrical power is delivered to the motor 5, the motor 5 willrotate and that motion is transferred through the gear cluster assemblyG that in turn connects to and rotates the drive socket. The drivesocket transfers its motion towards the head 150 via the shafts andassociated interconnected linkages and/or gears. As a result, the drivecam 145 rotates and the offset pin 147 can spin relative to the bearing148. The bearing 148 is driven from side to side within the center slot151 while the clip details 153 allow a coordinated front to back motionof the head 150. As a result, rotational movement is transferred to areciprocal of the head 150.

FIGS. 8A through 8D show a variety of example cleaning covers that canbe attached to the head 150. In other embodiments, the cleaningimplement portion of the cleaning cover can be secured directly to thehead 150. Other cleaning implements in addition to those illustrated caninclude, for example, an exfoliating pad, a cleaning pad, an abrasivepad, a lava or pumice stone, rubber or plastic fingers, a towel, and soforth, as well as combinations of any of the implements describedherein. FIG. 8A illustrates cleaning cover with the washing cloth 158,such as the washing cloth described above with respect to FIG. 7.

FIG. 8B shows a sponge 171 connected to the ring 156. The sponge 171 canhave a larger profile than the ring 156. Similar to the washing cloth158, a top surface of the sponge 171 can be securely fastened to abottom surface of the attaching ring 156.

FIG. 8C shows a bristle brush 172 that includes relatively soft bristlessecured to a mounting member M. The mounting member M is, in turn,secured to the bottom surface of the ring 156. The mounting member M canbe made of a material or have openings that allow dispensed material toflow from an upper surface of the mounting member M to the bristles onthe lower surface of the mounting member M. For instance, the mountingmember can be made from rubber, fabric, a nylon weave, etc. The bristlescan extend continuously across the mounting member M (e.g., a uniformfield of bristles across the area defined by the ring 156) ornon-continuously across the mounting member M (e.g., a ring-like patternof bristles that follow the contour of ring 156). In another embodiment,the bristles are attached to the ring 156 and no mounting member ispresent.

FIG. 8D shows a cleaning cover having a sponge 187 connected to a ring156 in similar manner to the way in which the sponge 171 is connected tothe ring 156 in the embodiment of FIG. 8B. The sponge 187 includes afinger 188 projecting therefrom. The finger can be disposed in adirection to extend forward along the longitudinal axis of the device Dor D′. In one embodiment, the finger 188 can be used to clean betweenone's toes.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative arrangement for the brush assembly portion2. In this embodiment, a center slot 173 passes through a head 174 in afront to back direction. Clip details 175 protruding downward from ahousing 176 and are directed in a lateral direction (e.g., extend ingenerally perpendicular direction relative to the center slot 173). Theclip details 175 are received by cooperating slots 177 in the head 174that extend laterally (e.g., side to side) with respect to the slot 173.

Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 7, the clip details 175 retain thehead 174 to the housing 176. The clip details 175 are arranged to slidefreely within the slots 177. As a drive cam 178 rotates, an offset pin179 spins within a bearing 180. A lower outside diameter 181 of thebearing 180 passes through the center slot 173 and slides freely fromfront to back while pushing the head 174 from side to side. Rotation ofthe drive cam 178 is transferred to the head 174 as a laterally directedreciprocating (e.g., side-to-side oscillating) movement of the head 174that is in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the device D or D′.

Referring now to FIG. 10, another embodiment of the brush assemblyportion 2 is shown. A drive shaft 182 includes a top flange 183 and isrotatably driven by rotational movement of the shafts as generallyindicated by the illustrated arrows. A lower outside diameter 184 (shownin phantom) of the drive shaft 182 aligns with and is pressed into aneccentric bore 185 passing through a head 186. Alternatively, the bore185 can be in the center of the head 186. Upon rotation of the driveshaft 182, the head 186 will rotate in an extended circular motion on anoffset axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thedevice D or D′. Such movement can be translated to a cleaning head Bthat is connected to the head 186.

The material delivery components of the brush assembly portion describedwith respected to FIG. 7 can be used in conjunction with the alternativeembodiments of FIGS. 9 and 10.

Referring to FIG. 11, shown is another embodiment of the extended brushassembly portion 2. A housing 189 can include back edge clip details 190protruding rearward to assist in attaching the housing 189 to the bodyportion 1. A bottom cover 191 mates with and fits within a bottom openedge 192 of the housing 189 and can be adhered or welded (e.g.,thermally fused) therewith to create a watertight or fluid resistantseal.

A drive stud 193 is coupled to the drive socket 47 (FIG. 3) or socket 59(FIG. 4). The drive stud 193 is connected to a back end of a first shaft194. A spur gear 195 is connected to a front end of the shaft 194. Shaftsupport ribs 196 can protrude from a top face of the bottom cover 191.The ribs 196 can include a pocket 197 to receive the shaft 194 and allowthe shaft 194 to spin freely. Shaft retaining tabs 198 (shown inphantom) extend downward from an inside upper face of the housing 189.When the bottom cover 191 is secured to the housing 189, a bottom edgeof the retaining tabs 198 cooperate with the ribs 196 to retain theshaft 194 in place.

A drive cam 199 is positioned such that a longitudinal axis of the cam199 is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the first shaft 194. Thedrive cam 199 includes a crown gear 200 facing the gear 195. Theopposing side of the drive cam 199 includes an offset pin 201. A secondshaft 202 serves as an axle for the drive cam 199. Shaft support ribs203 protrude upward from the upper face of the bottom cover 191. Pockets204 of the support ribs 203 receive the second shaft 202 and allow theshaft 202 and cam 199 to spin freely. Retaining tabs 205 (shown inphantom) protrude downward from the inside upper surface of the housing189 and cooperate with ribs 203 to retain the second shaft 202. Thesupport ribs 203 are positioned such that the crown gear 200 meshes withthe spur gear 195, and a ninety-degree shift in drive rotation achieved.

A drive rod 206 has a connecting arm 207 at one end that defines aconnecting end 208. The connecting end 208 includes a bore 209 receivedon the offset pin 201 of the drive cam 199. The pin 201 spins freely inthe bore 209. A screw 210 can be inserted into a receiving hole (notshown) of the pin 201 and is used to retain the connecting end 208 inplace with respect to the offset pin 201. The other end of the drive rod206 has a smaller diameter segment 211. The segment 211 is secured toone end of a length of semi-rigid (e.g., bendable, pliable and/orresilient) tubing 212. The length of tubing 212 can be made from vinylor a suitable material that allows for slight compliance to flex awaytransverse to the longitudinal axis of the drive rod 206. The other endof the tubing 212 is connected to a third shaft 213. Shaft support ribs214 protrude upward from the top face of the bottom cover 191. Pockets215 of the support ribs 214 accommodate the third shaft 213 and allow itto spin freely. Retaining tabs 216 (shown in phantom) protrude downwardfrom the upper inside face of the housing 189. When the bottom cover 191is secured to the housing 189, the bottom edge of the retaining tabs 216cooperate with ribs 214 to retain the shaft 213 in place.

A concentric elastomeric sealing ring 217 has a groove 218 around anoutside surface. The sealing ring 217 also includes a bore 219 throughwhich the third shaft 213 is passed. The diameter of the bore 219 can beslightly smaller than an outside diameter of the third shaft 213 to forma watertight or fluid resistant seal. A top rib detail 220 of thehousing 189 and a corresponding lower rib detail 221 of the bottom cover191 can be received in the groove 218 to form a watertight or fluidresistant seal.

An attaching tip 222 can be secured to an end of the third shaft 213that extends out of the ring 217. The tip 222 can have a front face bore223. The bore 223 can have an inner groove 224. An implement attachingbase 225 can be detachably connected to the attaching tip 222. Forexample, clips 226 protruding from a back face of the attaching base 225can snap into the groove 224. Slots 227 located on sides of theattaching base 225 assist in allowing the attaching base 225 to flexwhen squeezed such that detents of the clips 226 can clear the groove224, resulting in removability of the attaching base 225 from the tip222.

A post 228 is formed on the forward end of the attaching base 225. Afinger-like implement 229, such as a sponge, bristle brush, cleaningpad, abrasive pad, lava or pumice stone or the like, can be connected tothe post 228. For example, the implement 229 can have a bore 230 (shownin phantom) to receive the post 228.

Rotational motion is transferred from the motor 5 (FIG. 3) to the drivestud 193 in the manner described above. The spur gear 195 meshes withthe crown gear 200 of the drive cam 199 to rotate the drive cam 199.Since the drive rod 206 is operatively connected to the offset pin 201of the drive cam 199, rotating movement of the drive cam 199 transfersto a longitudinally oscillating movement of the drive rod 206.

The tubing 212 allows the axis of the drive rod 206 to change angleswith respect to the third shaft as the drive rod 206 moves under theinfluence of the offset pin 201. The third shaft 213 transfers the frontto back oscillating movement of the drive rod 206 forward to theattaching tip 222, which reciprocates back and forth. This motionresults in reciprocating motion of the detachable base 225 and implement229. In other embodiments, the implement 229 can be made to rotatearound a longitudinal axis of the implement 229 in addition to orinstead of the reciprocating motion. In one embodiment, the movement ofthe implement 229 can be considered a washing or cleaning motion and theimplement can be used to clean between the toes of the user. Theimplement also could be used to clean or scrub one's ankles and/orbeneath one's feet. In one embodiment, the device D can be elongated toavoid or minimize bending of the user during these washing actions.

Turning now to FIGS. 12 through 14E, shown is another embodiment of apowered bath brush, or cleaning device E. A body portion 250 is formedto be comfortably held by a user. An extended brush assembly portion 252is pivotally connected to the body portion 250 at an angle adjustmentpoint 254. The portions 250 and 252 can generally have easily rinsableand/or cleanable surfaces, such as smooth body members. The brushassembly portion 252 can include a material dispensing system 256. Inone configuration, the material dispensing system 256 includes apressurized reservoir and valve for dispensing controlled amounts ofmaterial to be dispensed, such as, but not limited to, liquid soap. Thematerial to be dispensed can be dispensed through a moveable head 258onto a cleaning attachment 260 (FIG. 15A). The cleaning attachment 260can include a cleaning implement and the cleaning attachment 260 issometimes referred to herein as a cleaning cover, cleaning head orcleaning implement assembly. Ornamental features of the device E will beapparent from the attached drawing.

With additional reference to FIGS. 15A and 16, the body portion 250includes a pair of members 250 a and 250 b. The members 250 a and 250 bcan be fastened together to form a water resistant enclosure. Forexample, the members 250 a and 250 b can be glued together, welded(e.g., thermally fused) together, molded together, placed on opposingsides of a gasket and held together by threaded fasteners, or otherwiseconnected to form the enclosure. In some embodiments, the joint betweenthe members 250 a and 250 b can be watertight or form a hermetic seal.

The body members 250 a and 250 b can be injection molded from a suitableplastic and include an integrally molded top recess 262 and bottomrecess 264 on corresponding handle portions. The recesses 262 and 264respectively receive a top cover 266 and bottom cover 268. The coverscan be molded or otherwise made from a flexible, deformable and/orelastomeric material, such as polyurethane, PET, polycarbonate,polypropylene, polyethylene or other suitable material. The covers 266and 268 can be directly molded onto the members 250 a and 250 b,mechanically attached to the members 250 a and 250 b or secured to themembers 250 a and 250 b (e.g., with an adhesive). The covers 266 and 268can provide grip to the device E when used in a wet environment as wellas a water resistant cover over user interface components (e.g.,switches) that are housed in the enclosure, but exposed by anaperture(s) in the members 250 a and/or 250 b.

The portion 252 includes an upper member 252 a and a lower member 252 bthat form a hollow enclosure. The members can be made from the samematerial used for the members 250 a and 250 b and connected together inthe same manner as the members 250 a and 250 b.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 15A, 15B and 16, the lower member 252 bincludes pivot support pins 270 and angle lock supports 272 that haveupper and/or lower locking notches 274. The angle locking supports 272and pivot support pins 270 are integrally molded to member 252 b or canbe made from separately attached pieces. For example, the angle lockingsupports 272 and pivot support pins 270 can be made from a deformationand/or breakage resistant material, such as nylon, polypropylene or thelike. A locking lever 276, which can be made from nylon, polypropyleneor the like, is disposed over the angle locking supports 272 and pivotsupport pins 270. The locking lever 276 has locking ribs 278 thatcorrespond with the upper and lower locking notches 274 to engage andmesh therewith. The pivot support pins 270 are rotatably received inslots 280 of the locking lever 276 and extend through the slots.Portions of the pivot support pins 270 that extend through the slots aretrapped between cooperating rib details 284 of body portion members 250a and 250 b.

A compression spring 282 has one end disposed against an underside ofthe locking lever 276 and the other end disposed against an inside wallof the body member 250 b or other reinforcement member (not shown). Thespring 282 biases the locking level 276 upward so that the locking ribs278 engage with the upper and lower locking notches 274. Guide tabs 286protrude from the sides of the locking lever 276 above and below theslots 280. The guide tabs 286 are received by and slide freely withincorresponding ribs 288 of the body portion members 250 a and 250 b.

A flexible boot 294 encloses locking lever 276. An end of the boot 294can be received by an upper surface recess 290 in body portion member250 a and a lower surface recess 292 in body portion member 250 b.Similarly, the other end of the boot 294 can be received by an uppersurface recess 296 of the member 252 a and a lower surface recess 298 ofmember 252 b. The boot 294 can be molded or otherwise made from aflexible, deformable and/or elastomeric material, such as polyurethane,PET, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or other suitablematerial. The boot 294 preferably forms a water resistant seal with themembers 250 a/250 b and 252 a/252 b and can be directly molded onto themembers 250 a/250 b and 252 a/252 b, mechanically attached to themembers 250 a/250 b and 252 a/252 b or secured to the members 250 a/250b and 252 a/252 b (e.g., with an adhesive).

A button detail 300 on the top side of the locking lever 276 can bedisposed under the boot 294. The user can apply downward pressure to thebutton detail 300 and locking level 276 by pressing an appropriatelocation on the boot 294. For example, a raised surface and/or graphicdetail 302 on the outer surface of the boot 294 can serve as anindicator as to the location of the button detail 300. Sufficientpressure on the button detail 300 forces the locking level 276 downwardto compress the spring 282 and disengage the upper and lower lockingnotches 274 from the locking ribs 278. When the notches 274 and ribs 278are disengaged, the portion 252 can be rotated with respect to thelocking lever 276 and portion 250. Following rotation of the portion 252with respect to the locking lever 276 and portion 250 to change theangle between the two portions 250 and 252, pressure on the button 300can be released. The spring 282 will bias the locking lever 276 so thatthe notches 274 and ribs 278 engage to minimize rotation of the portion252 with respect to the locking lever 276 and portion 250. Spacing ofthe notches 274 and ribs 278 enable incremental adjustment of the anglebetween body portion 250 and portion 252. Over-rotation of the portion252 can be minimized by a stop wall formed by the members 250 a and 250b that engages an upper rear portion of locking support 272 when portion252 is in an uppermost position or a lower rear portion of lockingsupport 272 when portion 252 is in a lowermost position.

A motor 304 and one or more batteries 308 is disposed in the enclosureformed by members 250 a and 250 b. Contacts 310 forward of the batteries308 are connected to a carrier piece 312 that is trapped bycorresponding ribs 314 of members 250 a and 250 b. One or more of thecontacts 310 can be spring contacts. Wire leads connected to thecontacts 310 electrically and selectively couple the motor 304 to thebatteries 308 via a switch 316, such as the illustrated pushbuttonswitch or another switch type such as a toggle or rocker switch. It willbe appreciated that other sources of electrical power can be used, suchas re-chargeable power batteries or cells, a transformer unit having aDC electrical connector to connect to the device E and a plug to connectto a conventional receptacle, or direct connection to an AC power source(e.g., conventional receptacle).

A raised surface region and/or graphic detail 318 on the molded topcover 266 can serve to indicate the operating location of the switch316. In the illustrated embodiment, to complete a circuit connectionbetween the batteries 308 and motor 304 so as to commence rotation ofthe motor 304, the user can push downward on the top cover 266 at thelocation of the switch 316 with sufficient pressure to actuate theswitch and then release the switch 316. Similarly, to deactivate themotor 304, the user can push downward on the top cover 266 at thelocation of the switch 316 with sufficient pressure to actuate theswitch and then release the switch 316.

A battery compartment cap 320 is detachably connected to the bodyportion 250. For example, the back end 322 of the body portion 250 canhave an opening that can be covered by the cap 320. For instance,apertures 324 located in the top and bottom of the cap 320 receivecorresponding catch tabs 326 protruding from the back edge of members250 a and 250 b and allow the cap 320 to be pushed into position overthe body portion 250. A contact stamping 328 secured to inner supportribs 330 of the battery cap 320 can complete a series connection betweenbatteries 308. An o-ring 334 can be received in a groove 332 of members250 a and 250 b to form a water resistant seal between an inner frontlip 336 of the battery cap 320 and the portion 250.

The cap 320 can have a cover 338 to form a water resistant seal for theopenings. The cover 338 can be molded or otherwise made from a flexible,deformable and/or elastomeric material, such as polyurethane, PET,polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or other suitable material.The cover 338 can be directly molded onto the cap 320, mechanicallyattached to the cap 320 or secured to the cap 320 (e.g., with anadhesive). To remove the cap 320, the user can push the catch tabs 326inward by applying pressure on corresponding locations of the cover 338to disengage the tabs 326 from the apertures 324 and then the cap 320can be pulled from the body portion 250.

A hanger cord mounting hole 342 can pass through the battery cap 320 andouter cover 338. A hanging cord (not shown) can be inserted through thehole 342 and tied to create a loop, thus providing a hanger to hang thedevice E from a hook or shower head. In one arrangement, the cord can bea rope made from natural or synthetic fibers, including, for example,cotton, nylon or the like. In alternative embodiments, the hole 342 canbe elongated to allow the device E to be hung directly on a hook or ahook member can be provided as part of the device E.

With continued reference to FIGS. 12-17 and as best illustrated in FIGS.15A and 16, the forward end of the motor 304 is connected to a back gearsupport 344. A drive pinion 346 can be attached to a motor shaft 348 andthe rotation of the motor 304 can be reduced through a subsequent set ofspur gears 350. A front gear support 352 can be attached to the backgear support, such as by screws, to form a gear subassembly that ispositioned and trapped between members 250 a and 250 b. The front gearsupport 352 includes a protrusion 354 to accept a self-lubricatingbushing 356 for a gearing output shaft 358. The output shaft 358 isoperatively attached to a universal joint 360 located between the pivotsupport pins 270.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 17, an end of a first shaft 362 isconnected to the universal joint 360. The first shaft 362 passes througha set of self-lubricating bushings 364 that are retained by support ribs366 of member 252 b. The other end of the first shaft 362 is connectedto a second universal joint 368 to accommodate a change in alongitudinal axis of the portion 252. An end of a second shaft 372 isconnected to the second universal joint 368. The second shaft 372 passesthrough a second set of self-lubricating bushings 374 that are retainedby support ribs 376 of member 252 b.

A bevel gear 378 is connected to the other end of the second shaft 372.A retaining ring 380 snaps over a groove 382 in the second shaft 372 tomaintain a longitudinal position of the bevel gear 378 against thebushing 374. A second bevel gear 384 is connected to a top end of athird shaft 386 and meshes with the first bevel gear 378 on a generallyperpendicular axis to the axis of the second shaft 372. A pitch diameterof the second bevel gear 384 can be greater than a pitch diameter of thefirst bevel gear 378 (e.g., twice as big) to provide a further reductionof the output shaft 358 rotation. A radial bearing 390 is pressed ontothe third shaft 386 and is disposed under the second bevel gear 384. Thebearing 390 can be received in a boss detail 391 of an inner bottom faceof member 252 b. The boss detail 390 can be sized to provide a securedpress fit with the outside diameter of the radial bearing 390.

The third shaft 386 extends through a seal 392 that includes a formedwiper edge 393. In the absence of the shaft 386, the seal 392 has aninner bore diameter less than the outside diameter of the third shaft386. The shaft 386 flexes the seal 392 slightly outward to create awater resistant seal while minimizing rotational resistance to the drivesystem. The seal 386 can be made from a semi-rigid material, such asplastic or other suitable material. Specific material examples includepolypropylene, polyethylene and TEFLON.

A distal end of the third shaft 386 extends into a head 394 that, in theillustrated embodiment, rotates under the influence of rotational forcetransferred from the motor 304 to the head 394 by the various shaft,gears and linkages described above. As will be appreciated, the linkageof the head 394 to the motor 304 allows the rotational movement of themotor 304 to be translated to a rotating movement of the head 394. It iscontemplated that the head can be made to move in other directionsand/or pivot with respect to the rest of the device E. For example, thehead 394 can be made to rotate about a fixed axis, rotate on aneccentric axis, move in a reciprocating fashion, rotate and move inreciprocating fashion, move in a random orbit, vibrate, oscillate,swing, pivot, and so forth, or perform a combination of motions.

Continuing with the illustrated embodiment, the head 394 has a centralboss detail 396 having an inside bore diameter sized to securely retainthe third shaft 386 in press fit arrangement. The distal end of thethird shaft 386 and the configuration of the boss detail 396 can beround or shaped (e.g., square, hexagonal, etc.) to reduce thepossibility of the shaft 386 slipping with respect to the head 394. Inother embodiments, the head 394 can be made to be detachable andre-attachable from the third shaft 386 for cleaning and/or to allowdirect attachment between a cleaning implement assembly and the shaft386 or other intervening component.

Similar to the device D, the device E can dispense a material onto acleaning implement assembly. As indicated, the material to be dispensedcan include, without limitation, liquid soap, a water and soap solution,bath oil, bath gel, shampoo, conditioner, mineral oil, skin cream orlotion, medicated preparations or the like, or combinations ofmaterials. In one embodiment, the material is pressurized, such as byaction of the motor 304.

An example pressurization and dispensing system will now be describedwith continued reference to FIGS. 12-17. With particular reference toFIGS. 15A, 16 and 17, the front gear support 352 can include a mountingflange 396 to which an air pump housing 398 is connected using, forexample, a threaded fastener inserted into a screw boss of the pumphousing 398. A gasket 400 can be placed between the mounting flange 396and the air pump housing 398. A first umbrella valve 404 is operativelyattached within the air pump housing 398 in line with an intake cavity406. A second umbrella valve 408 is operatively attached within the airpump housing 398 in line with an output cavity 410.

A pump housing cover 412 is pressed over a forward outside profile 414of the air pump housing 398 and can create a relatively airtight sealwith the housing 398. The pump housing cover 412 can include an opening416 in which a flexible bellow 418 is received. The bellow 418 caninclude a groove detail 420 that receives the edges of the opening 416such to form a relatively airtight seal. The bellow 418 can be made froma flexible, deformable and/or elastomeric material, such aspolyurethane, PET, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or othersuitable material.

The bellow 418 can have a stem 422 that fits through and is secured toan opening 424 in the top part of a cam follower 426. The cam follower426 is disposed with respect to an eccentric cam 428 (e.g., encompassesthe cam 428) that is connected to the output shaft 358. Upon partialrotation (e.g., half rotation) of the output shaft 358, an up-stroke ofthe cam 428 urges the cam follower 426 to collapse the bellow 418 anddisplace an operating volume of air within the pump housing 398 into theoutput cavity 410 through the second umbrella valve 408. Upon additionalrotation (e.g., a complete revolution) of the output shaft 358, a downstroke of the cam 428 results in extension of the bellow 418. Suchextension of the bellow 418 draws air in from the intake cavity 406through the first umbrella valve 404 to replenish the operating volumeof the air pump housing 398.

An air tube 430 is fluidically connected to the output cavity 410. Forexample, an end of the air tube 430 can be pressed over a receiving boss432 of the front gear support 352 where the boss 432 has an inner bore434 coupled to the output cavity 410. The air tube 430 runs forward intothe portion 252 and is connected to a fitting 436 of a materialreservoir R that defines a storage volume for the material to bedispensed. The air tube 430 can be made from vinyl or any other suitablematerial. The fitting 436 has a boss 438 onto which an end of the airtube 430 is pressed. The fitting 436 has another boss 440 having alongitudinal axis disposed at an angle from the longitudinal axis of theboss 438. The boss 440 is press fit into a fitting receiving boss 442protruding from a bottom member 444 a that cooperates with a top member444 b to define the reservoir R. An inside bore 446 of the boss 438 isfluidically connected to an inside bore 448 of the second boss 440 andthe bore 448 is fluidically connected to a bore of the boss 442 toestablish a pathway for air to flow from the tube 430 to the reservoirR. A third umbrella valve 450 is operatively attached to the materialreservoir bottom member 444 a and within the boss 442.

The members 444 a and/or 444 b are preferably made from a clear orcolored, but translucent, plastic material so that a user can visuallyassess the amount of material in the reservoir. The members 444 a and444 b can be fastened together to form a water resistant enclosure. Forexample, the members 444 a and 444 b can be glued together, welded(e.g., thermally fused) together, molded together, placed on opposingsides of a gasket and held together by threaded fasteners, or otherwiseconnected to form the reservoir R. In some embodiments, the jointbetween the members 444 a and 444 b can be watertight or form a hermeticseal.

A fill cap 452 is detachably connected to top member 444 b. The fill cap452 can have a stem section 454 with a groove 456 in which an o-ring 458is seated. A receiving collar 460 integral with the top member 444 breceives the stem section 454 and, with o-ring 458, forms a waterresistant seal with the fill cap 452. A cover 462 can be positioned overfor the cap 452 to provide enhanced gripability to the cap 452. Thecover 462 can be can be made from a flexible, deformable and/orelastomeric material, such as polyurethane, PET, polycarbonate,polypropylene, polyethylene or other suitable material. The cover 462can be directly molded onto the cap 452, mechanically attached to thecap 452 or secured to the cap 452 (e.g., with an adhesive).

The member 252 a can include a receiving collar 464 into which thereceiving boss 442 is press fit. The member 444 a and/or portions of themember 444 b can be glued, welded, molded or mechanically fastened tomember 252 a. In one or more of these manners, the members 444 a and 444b forming the reservoir R can be secured to the remainder of the deviceE.

The member 444 a includes a dispensing opening 466 that passes through acollar 468 formed as part of the member 444 a. The collar 468 has anouter groove 470 in which an o-ring 472 is seated. A valve housing 474is located between the members 252 a and 252 b and interacts with thedispensing opening 466. For example, the valve housing 474 can have acollar with a groove 476 in which an o-ring 478 is seated and the valvehousing collar is sandwiched between collar 468 and a collar 480 of themember 252 a. With o-rings 472 and 478, the valve housing collar, thecollar 468 and the collar 480 form a water resistant seal. The valvehousing 474 has a lower collar with a groove 482 in which an o-ring 484is seated. A collar 486 of member 252 b with the lower collar and o-ring484 form a water resistant seal over the head 394.

A fluidic pathway from the reservoir R to the head 394 exists throughthe valve housing 474. For example, the collars of the valve housingdefine an upper bore 490 and a lower bore 496 that are coupled at aconstriction (e.g., defining opening 494) that is selectively open orclosed by a valve. In one configuration, bore 490 terminates at a boss492 of the valve housing 474. The opening 494 disposed relative to theboss 492 leads through to the lower bore 496. A stop 498 aligns with andis affixed to a sealing carrier 500. The stop 498 can be made of rubberor other suitable material. The stop 498 has a back stem section 502that is received by a hole 504 in the carrier 500. A wiper edge 506 ofthe carrier 500 has an outside diameter larger than the inside diameterof the boss 492 and creates a low resistance, water resistant seal. Thestop 498 and carrier 500 assembly are attached to a release arm 508using, for example, a screw.

The release arm 508 has slots 510 (FIG. 15A) that fit over and slidefreely in a longitudinal direction over corresponding tabs 512 of thevalve housing 474. A compression spring 514 connected to a hub 516protrudes from the release arm 508. The release arm 508 and connectedstop 498 are biased forward by the compression spring 514 to close theopening 494. The hub 516 has a hole 518 that receives a member 520. Inthe illustrated arrangement, the member is flexible, but can transmitenough force to actuate the release arm against the spring 514 along thelongitudinal axis of the member 520. Also in the illustratedarrangement, the hole 518 is a through hole and the member 520 extendsthrough the hole 518. The member can be include or be attached toterminal 522, such as a crimped-on fitting. When aftward force isapplied to the member 520, the terminal 522 acts against hub 516 tocompress spring 514, move release arm 508 and displace the stop 498 fromcovering the opening 494. In this manner, material to be dispensed fromthe reservoir R can flow toward the head 394 through the valve housing474. The member 520 can be, for example, a cord, cable, wire, shaft orthe like.

The member 520 is fed through guide slots 524 in the two rear bushingsupports 366 and 376. The member 520 continues into the body portion 250and through the gearing assembly. A catch terminal 526 is connected tothe member 520. The catch terminal 526 slides within guide ribs 528 of arelease lever 530. The catch terminal 526 has teeth 532 on an undersidethereof. A catch tab 534 is connected to the release lever 530 and has apost 536 with a mating tooth edge 538 adapted to fit between adjacentpairs of teeth 532. The arrangement of the catch tab 534 and releaselever 530 provides a leaf spring type action to bias the mating toothedge 538 away from the teeth 532.

The release lever 530 includes pins 540 (FIG. 15A) that rotate withincorresponding receiving pockets 542 of member 250 a. As the operatingangle of the portion 252 changes with respect to the body portion 250,the catch terminal 526 slides from front to back as the member 520tightens or relaxes from the change of angle, but the teeth 532 areconfigured to remain in position over the post 536 and mating tooth edge538.

The user can dispense material from the reservoir R by pressing inwardon the cover 268 in the area of a button detail 539 of the catch tab 534to move the catch tab 534, and specifically the mating tooth edge 538,into engagement with the teeth 532. Under this action, the release leverpivots backward, which, in turn, moves member 520 aftward with respectto the device E. As indicated, such movement of the member 520 resultsin clearing the opening 494 and dispensing of material from thereservoir R that has been pressurized by the pumping of air into thereservoir R. As a result, pressurized material from the reservoir R canbe dispensed on demand through a material dispensing opening 540 ofmember 252 b.

The head 394 has an open channel 542 in a top face of the head 394. Thechannel 542 is dimensioned such that a collar defining the materialdispensing opening 540 fits openly within the channel profile (e.g., thecollar does not touch the channel 542 as the head 394 moves). Slots 544can be formed in the outside lower portions of the channel wall to serveas openings for dispensed material to pass. As the rotating head 394spins, material dispensed on to the inside surface of the channel 542 isexpelled through the slots 544 onto a cleaning implement assembly placedwith respect to the head 394.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the material canbe dispensed from reservoir R without pressurization. For example, thematerial can be gravity feed from the reservoir to the head and/orcleaning implement assembly. In this embodiment, the flow of thematerial can be controlled by a valve, such as the above-described valveand valve position control components. In another embodiment,pressurization and/or forcing of the material can be accomplishedwithout influence of the motor. For example, a user operated pump orother suitable assembly, such as an assembly governed by the generaloperating principles of the material delivery assemblies described withrespect to the device D and shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, can be used toassist in the dispensing of material onto the head and/or cleaningimplement assemblies.

With additional reference to FIGS. 18A through 22, various examplecleaning covers or cleaning implement assemblies for use with the deviceE are illustrated. It will be appreciated that the cleaning implementassemblies that can be used with the device E are not limited to theexamples illustrated and described herein. The cleaning implementsand/or cleaning implement assemblies can include modified versions ofany of the similar assemblies for use in conjunction with the device Dor D′. As will be appreciated, the cleaning covers are removable andreplaceable with respect to the head 394.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 18A-19, a cleaning implement assembly546 includes a mesh cleaning cover 554 that is made from, for example,nylon and is sometimes referred to as a “poof.” An attaching member (orring) 548 is secured to the mesh cleaning cover 554. For instance, thecleaning cover 554 and the attaching member 548 can be fused together,secured with adhesive, molded together or mechanically fastened. Forexample, in the embodiment of FIG. 19, the cleaning cover 554 isattached to the attaching member 548 with a length of twine, string,cable or cord.

Each of the cleaning implement assemblies described herein, includingthe mesh assembly 546, can be removably attached to the head 394. Forexample, the attaching member 548 can engage the head 394 and move(e.g., rotate and/or reciprocate) therewith to provide a washing motionto the cleaning implement assembly. In the illustrated embodiments, theattaching member 548 has a bead 550 that can be slipped over aperipheral ridge 549 (FIGS. 15A and 17) of the head 394. The bead 550seats into a peripheral groove 551 located adjacent the ridge 549. Themember 548 can have resilient properties and can be made from a somewhatelastomeric material. Example materials include, for example,polyurethane, PET, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or othersuitable material. Slight stretching and/or other manipulation of themember 548 (e.g., pushing, sliding and/or deflecting of the bead 550)will allow the member 548 to go in or out of engagement with the head394, such as by slipping the bead 550 past the groove 551. In otherembodiments, the member 548 can be somewhat rigid and can be removablysecured to the head 394 with a snap fit. The member 548 in theillustrated embodiments is illustrated as being round, but it will beappreciated that any cooperating shape of the member 548 and the head394 can be used.

The member 548 can include or can be secured to a wall 552 that servesas a mounting surface for a cleaning implement (e.g., a brush, sponge,exfoliating pad, or in the case of the example in FIGS. 18A-18B, a meshcleaning cover). A plane of the wall 552 can be generally transverse(e.g., perpendicular) to an annular portion 553 of the member 548 andthe wall 552 can be spaced apart from the bead 550, which is inwardlydirected from the annular portion 553. As indicated, although theportion 553 is referred to as an annular portion, the portion 553 andcorresponding and cooperating item (e.g., the head 394 and/or the wall552) need not be round or ring-shaped. The wall 552 can include slots556 that allow material dispensed through the head 394 to pass throughthe wall 552 and onto the cleaning implement secured thereto (e.g., themesh cover 554, bristles of a brush, etc.).

As indicated, a variety of cleaning implement assemblies 546 can be usedwith the device E. In one embodiment, and as illustrated in FIGS. 18A to22, each assembly 546 can include the member 548 (inclusive of the wall552, the annular portion 553 and the bead 550) that engages the head394. In other embodiments, alternative attaching mechanisms can be usedfor different types of cleaning implement assemblies.

In the example of FIG. 20A, the cleaning implement assembly 546 includesa brush secured to the member 548. For example, bristles 560 (which canbe arranged in groups to form the illustrated tufts) can be secured to abrush base 558 that is, in turn, secured to the member 548. In oneembodiment, the brush base is made from fairly rigid plastic and thebristles are made from nylon or other relatively soft bristle material.The brush base 558 can include slots (not shown) that allow dispensedmaterial to pass through the brush base 558 to the bristles.

In the example of FIG. 20B, the cleaning implement assembly 546 includesan exfoliating pad 562 secured to the member 548.

In the example of FIGS. 21A and 21B, the cleaning implement assembly 546includes a brush assembly 563 adapted to, among other uses, clean thefeet and between the toes of a person. In the example, bristles 566arranged in bristle tufts are secured to a brush base ring 564 that is,in turn, secured to an external perimeter of the annular portion 553 ofthe member 548. In one embodiment, the bristles 566 radially projectfrom the rest of the assembly 546. In the illustrated embodiment, thebristles 566 are arranged in an upper row of tufts and a lower row oftufts. The upper row of tufts have a slightly downward inclination andthe lower row of tufts have a slightly upward inclination so thatadjacent tufts from one of the rows are interleaved with tufts from theother of the rows. Slots 556′ can be present in the annular portion andthe brush base ring 564 to allow dispensed material to travel to thebristles 566 from inside the head 394 and/or assembly 546.

A member can be arranged over the underside of the wall 552. In theillustrated embodiment, the member is a pumice stone 572 secured to themember 548 and/or the brush base ring 564. A surface 574 of the pumicestone 572 can be domed shaped to promote multi-angled contact with anarea to be cleaned. In other embodiments, the member arranged over theunderside of the wall 552 can be a sponge, exfoliating pad, a cap (e.g.,a piece of plastic) or other item.

The example of FIG. 22 shows a variation of the foot and toe cleaningassembly of FIGS. 21A and 21B that has been combined with the brushassembly of FIG. 20A. In the illustrated example, the bristles 566 andthe ring 564 are secured to a perimeter of the member 548 and thebristles 560 and base 558 are secured to the underside of the member548. The ring 564 and the base 558 can be combined as an integratedunit.

As indicated, it is contemplated that the head can be made to havemotions in addition to or instead of a rotating or reciprocating motion.For instance, the head can pivot with respect to the rest of the device.

With additional reference to FIG. 23, shown is a head assembly that canrotate and pivot with respect to the remainder of the device E. In thisembodiment, the lower end of the third shaft 386 passes through the seal392. The third shaft 386 then connects to a ball drive 588 that, incooperation with a retainer 602, retains a head 580 to the device E thatcan rotate under the influence of the shaft 386 and pivot with respectto the shaft 386.

The head 580 includes a center opening 582 through a wall 584 disposed,in the illustrated embodiment, in perpendicular arrangement to alongitudinal axis of the head 580. A top collar 586 of the ball drive588 fits through the opening and includes a hole 592 to receive the endof the shaft 386 in press fit arrangement. The collar 586 has an outsidediameter that is smaller than an outer width of a faceted end 590 of theball drive 588. In the illustrated embodiment, the faceted end 590 ofthe ball drive 588 includes plural (e.g., six) facet divisions 594. Thedivisions 594 of the illustrated embodiment are arranged so that a crosssection of the ball drive 588 taken through the a longitudinal axis ofthe faceted end 590 would have a generally hexagon shape, yet thejunctions of adjacent facets form convex arcs in a direction extendinggenerally along the longitudinal axis of the ball drive 588. It will beappreciated that the faceted end 590 can be divided into a differentnumber of facets and can have different shapes to implement thefunctions described herein. For instance, the facet surfaces betweenjunctions of adjacent facet divisions 594 can be slightly concave.

The underside of the wall 584 has a rib 596 (partially shown in phantom)that protrudes in a generally downward direction and that forms ahexagonal shaped pocket 598 to loosely receive an upper portion 600 ofthe faceted end 590. The retainer 602 has a rib 604 that protrudes in agenerally upward direction and that forms a hexagonal shaped pocket 606to loosely receive a lower portion 608 of the faceted end 590.

A series of posts 610 with clip details 612 protrude in a generallyupward direction from the retainer 602. Corresponding notches 614 formedin the wall 584 of the head 580 receive the clip details 612 so that theretainer 602 can be connected to the head 580 with an interference fit.The ball drive 588 is trapped between the retainer 602 and head 580 inthe pockets 598 and 606.

When the shaft 396 rotates, the shaft 396 rotates the connected balldrive 588. In turn, the rotation of the ball drive 588 is transferred tothe head 580 by the facet divisions 594 acting upon the ribs 598 and/or604. The curved properties of the facet divisions 594 of the ball drive588 allows the encompassing head 580 and retainer 602 to rotate whilesimultaneously pivoting with respect to the longitudinal axis of theshaft 386. For example, the head 580 can rotate in plural planes thatare transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 386. It followsthat the head 580 can rotate in plural planes with respect to the restof the device E, or a housing that effectively retains the head 580. Aswill be appreciated, the plane in which the head 580 rotates will changeand self adjust as a cleaning implement assembly 546 connected to thehead 580 is brought into contact with an area of a person to be cleaned.Thus, cleaning coverage of a cleaning implement can be increased due toa multi-angled operational capability of the head 580, rather than astatic co-axial connection between head 580 and shaft 386. The cleaningimplement assembly 546 can connect to and interact with the head 580 inany of the manners described above.

Although particular embodiments have been described in detail, it isunderstood that the invention is not limited correspondingly in scope,but includes all changes, modifications and equivalents coming withinthe spirit and terms of the claims appended hereto.

1. A cleaning device for cleaning a person, comprising: a head driven bya motor; a housing that retains the motor and the head, wherein the headis moved with respect to the housing by operation of the motor; and acleaning implement for cleaning the person, the cleaning implementsecured to a resilient member and the resilient member removably securedto the head.
 2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein theresilient member is stretched or manipulated over the head to be securedthereto.
 3. The cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein aperipheral edge of the head is received into a corresponding groove ofthe resilient member.
 4. The cleaning device according to claim 2,wherein a bead of the resilient member is received in a correspondinggroove of the head.
 5. The cleaning device according to claim 1, whereinthe cleaning implement is a washing cloth.
 6. The cleaning deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the cleaning implement is one of a sponge,a brush, an exfoliating pad, an abrasive member, a mesh cover orcombinations thereof.
 7. The cleaning device according to claim 1,further comprising a dispenser for dispensing a material onto thecleaning implement.
 8. The cleaning device according to claim 7, whereinthe material is dispensed through the head.
 9. The cleaning deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the material is stored in a reservoir thatis pressurized by operation of the motor and a valve selectivelycontrols dispensing of the material under the influence of the pressure.10. The cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein the material ispressurized and selectively dispensed.
 11. The cleaning device accordingto claim 7, wherein the material is dispensed through an aperture of theresilient member.
 12. A cleaning device for cleaning a person,comprising: a cleaning implement for cleaning between toes of theperson; a motor operatively coupled to the cleaning implement to movethe cleaning implement in a washing motion; and a housing for retainingthe motor and the cleaning implement, the washing motion moving thecleaning element with respect to the housing.
 13. The cleaning deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein the washing motion is at least areciprocating movement with respect to a longitudinal axis of thecleaning device.
 14. The cleaning device according to claim 12, whereinthe washing motion includes a rotating movement of the implement arounda longitudinal axis of the implement.
 15. The cleaning device accordingto claim 12, wherein the housing is configured to be grasped by a handof a user, the housing being elongated to space the cleaning elementfrom the hand of the user.
 16. The cleaning device according to claim12, wherein the cleaning implement is an elongated member.
 17. Thecleaning device according to claim 16, wherein the cleaning implement isa sponge.
 18. The cleaning device according to claim 12, wherein thecleaning implement is a brush.
 19. The cleaning device according toclaim 18, wherein bristles of the brush extend outward from a bristlesupport member that at least partially inscribes a longitudinal axis ofthe cleaning implement and the washing motion rotates the brush aboutthe longitudinal axis.
 20. A cleaning device for cleaning a person,comprising: a head having an attached cleaning implement, the head andimplement driven by a motor connected to the head by a drive assembly; afirst housing portion enclosing the motor; a second housing portionretaining the head; and a pivotal linkage connecting the first andsecond housing portions.
 21. The cleaning device according to claim 20,wherein the pivotal linkage positively locks into plural positions suchthat an angle between a longitudinal axis of the first housing portionand a longitudinal axis of the second housing portion can be changedfrom one of the positions to another of the positions and selectivelysecured in the another of the positions.
 22. The cleaning deviceaccording to claim 21, wherein the drive assembly delivers rotationalforce generated by the motor to the head in each position.
 23. Thecleaning device according to claim 21, wherein a valve control member toopen a valve of a material dispensing assembly extends from the firsthousing portion to the second housing portion and is operable in eachposition.
 24. A cleaning device for cleaning a person, comprising: ahead having an attached cleaning implement, the head and implementdriven by a motor connected to the head by a drive assembly; a housingthat retains the motor and the head, wherein the head is moved withrespect to the housing by operation of the motor; and a pressurizedreservoir for storing a dispensable material and a valve for selectivelycontrolling the dispensing of the material onto the cleaning element.25. The cleaning device according to claim 24, wherein the material isdispensed through the head.
 26. The cleaning device according to claim24, wherein the pressure is developed by operation of the motor.
 27. Thecleaning device according to claim 26, wherein a pump assembly isoperably driven by the motor and forces air into the reservoir.
 28. Acleaning device for cleaning a person, comprising: a head having anattached cleaning implement, the head and cleaning implement driven by amotor connected to the head by a drive assembly; and a housing thatretains the motor and the head, wherein the head is connected to thedrive assembly to rotate by operation of the motor and pivot withrespect to the housing.
 29. The cleaning device according to claim 28,wherein the head rotates in plural planes with respect to the housing.30. The cleaning device according to claim 28, wherein an angle of thehead with respect to the hosing self adjusts when the cleaning implementis brought into contact with the person.
 31. The cleaning deviceaccording to claim 28, wherein the drive assembly includes a shaftconnected to a ball drive, the ball drive in pivotal engagement with thehead.
 32. The cleaning device according to claim 28, wherein thecleaning implement is secured to a resilient member that is removablysecured to the head.